08/28/2026
Church,
We’re looking forward to being together on Sunday for the Christian Discipleship Kick-off Potluck Breakfast at 9:30am and worship at 11:00am on Sunday.
This week at the Pantry and Closet we served 128 families (591 people, 255 children).
Below is our updated prayer list, as well as a prayer for this week.
Please notice Jane David and Michelle Brown have been added to our prayer list this week, and Bill McGroom went on hospice care this week. He continues to stay at Libby’s house, and he’s up for visitors. Pray ‘em up the way y’all do, church.
Love y’all so much and love the way you love,
Peggy Jean
—
With all our heart,
with all our mind,
with all our strength—
this is how you call us to love, O God.
To love you,
and then to let that love overflow—
into our neighbors,
into strangers,
into the whole wide world.
And thank God,
this love is not contingent upon our effort.
It is bigger than what we can muster,
more than we can imagine,
steadfast when we are not,
contagious in the very best way,
and always, always enough.
Thank you, God,
for every glimpse of your love,
every experience of it,
every refill when we thought we had run dry.
Thank you for love enfleshed among us—
love with hands and feet,
love with laughter and tears,
love that sits beside us,
feeds us,
holds us,
and reminds us that we are not alone.
You call us to love
with all our heart,
with all our mind,
with all our strength,
because this is how you have loved us:
with your whole self,
your whole heart,
your whole body.
And so this morning, Lord,
we are mindful of bodies.
Bodies that are weak.
Bodies that hurt.
Bodies that are tired.
Bodies carrying pain no one else can see.
Bodies waiting for answers,
waiting for healing,
waiting simply to feel like themselves again.
You have told us
that your strength is made perfect in weakness.
So strengthen weak bodies, Lord,
with your perfect strength.
Be near to those who mourn.
Be with those who cannot get out of bed,
and those who do not have a bed to lie down in.
Be with those who are afraid of what tomorrow holds,
and those simply trying to make it through today.
Bring healing where there is hurt.
Rest where there is weariness.
Enough where there is need.
And peace—
your strange and stubborn peace
that passes all understanding—
where peace seems impossible.
And now, O God,
we name before you those we love,
those we worry about,
those we carry with us today:
Jane David, Michelle Brown, Bill McGroom, the family of Rhonda Hardy, the family of Elisha Robinson; Roger Piercey; Bill Pickle; Taylor Brigham; Chris Panel; the family of Suzanne Dunn; Chris Davidson; Mae Jean Gardner; Sarah Freed; Jess Hipsher; Albert Goodwin; Joey Watson; Evelyn Swaffer; Treva Barnes; Kelley Sodeinde; Shea Harris; David Campbell; Kathie Cavette; Matthew Genes; Will Stevens; Bill Luttrell; Loren Nichols; Nicholas and Yvonne Calderon; Julie Gray; Meredith Nelson; Zena and Damita Bailey; Connie Walters; Scott Hipsher; Jerry Lee Wright; Carol Iovino; Maria; Mary Kiepe; Lorri Cotton; Shirley Shato; Tom and Martha Morrison; Pam Elliot; Anna Pierro; Penny Rogers; Lorie Foster; Julianne Flake; Juan Bracho; Jose Morales; Patricia Bacon; Dean Burland; Robert Kruse; Michael Hunt; and Murray Hudson.
For these we have named,
and for all those whose names remain tucked within our hearts—
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayers.
Amen.
—
PRAYER LIST
* For additions, edits, or updates to the prayer list,
please email Peggy Jean Craig at [email protected]
Jane David has been diagnosed with treatable breast cancer. She is meeting with a surgeon this morning (8/28) to discuss next steps and options. Please pray for Jane and Gary. (Updated 8.28.26)
Michelle Brown who was admitted to the hospital this week with aortitis, an inflammation of the aorta, and fluid in the sac around her heart. Please pray for Michelle’s health, her healing, energy, answers and treatment that is effective. (Updated 8.27.26)
Bill McGroom went into hospice care this week. He will remain at Libby’s home, and would love visitors. Please continue to pray for Bill. (Updated 8.27.26)
The family of Rhonda Hardy, Gina Seeley’s cousin, who passed away this past weekend after her battle with lung cancer. Please pray for comfort and peace for her family. (Updated 8.16.26)
Roger Piercey, Lila Piercey’s husband, suffered a fall last week. He will be at Baptist Rehab for two weeks. Please pray for Roger and for Lila during this difficult time. (Updated 8.16.26)
The Family of Elisha Robinson who died this week after a battle with cancer. Please pray for all of her family. (Update 8.13.26)
Bill Pickle is experiencing some new health issues. Please pray for healing and strength for him. (Updated 8.13.26)
Taylor Brigham, Megan James’s friend, needs our prayers for peace, strength and healing through her battle against colon cancer. (Updated 8.13.26)
Chris Panel, son-in-law of Rev. Jim and Joan Ratliff, has stage 4 cancer which has metastasized throughout his body. Please pray for his healing and restoration. (Updated 8.13.26)
The Family of Suzanne Dunn, who was part of our church, died on Thursday evening after an intense battle with pancreatic cancer. Please pray for her family and loved ones, especially her sister, Beth. (Updated 8.8.26)
Chris Davidson, Allison Carmichael’s cousin, who suffered severe burns from a propane grill that blew up in his face. Please pray for healing and relief for Chris. (7.28.26)
Mae Jean Gardner fell off of a chair yesterday and suffered a compression fracture at L-1(base of spine). Please pray for swift healing and comfort for Mae Jean. (Updated 7.2.26)
Jess Hipsher has been discharged from Encompass Rehab, and is now back home. He has improved greatly and we praise God for his healing and strength as we pray for it to continue. (Updated 7.2.26)
Sarah Freed, Tina Rehm’s friend. She is battling metastatic breast cancer. She is not doing well. Please pray for her. (Updated 6.29.26)
God for Bill and continue to pray for his strength and health. (Updated 6.18.26)
Albert Goodwin continues with chemotherapy. He is doing well. Please pray for strength, health, and peace for Albert and Joy.(Updated 6.4.26)
Joey Watson, a former teacher of Allen Gardner and now a longtime friend of his. He’s been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. (Updated 6.4.26)
Evelyn Swaffer. Evelyn has suffered with some health issues over the past several weeks. Please pray for Evelyn’s health and strength. Please pray for Evelyn and Mel. (Updated 6.4.26)
Julie Gray, Cathy Flanigan’s sister, continues to struggle with significant health issues. Please pray for Julie. (Updated 4.30.26)
Treva Barnes, the sister of Mike Williams’s sister-in-law. She has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will have a mastectomy this month. (3.10.26)
Kelley Sodeinde has been diagnosed with breast cancer and had a mastectomy this week. The surgery went well and the recovery is going well so far. Please pray for Kelley’s full and complete healing and recovery. (Updated 1.22.26)
Shea Harris, Gina Seeley’s sister, Shea is doing well. She is scheduled to have her last chemo this Friday, and then she will start immunotherapy. Prayers that her body has healed enough to allow this transition. (Updated 1.13.26)
David Campbell, Laura Suzanne’s uncle, who is battling bladder cancer. Please pray for healing and health in all its forms for David and for his caregivers. (Updated 12.10.25)
Kathie Cavette, Donna Bowman’s co-granny has several health issues. Please pray for health and healing for her. (Updated 3.5.26)
Matthew Genes, a friend of John and Betty Fite from Colonial, has had a heart attack. His wife, Melissa, also needs prayer. Please pray for them both (Updated 11.19.25)
Will Stevens, a child we have been praying for and has had a brain tumor since he was 3. He is not 11. A recent scan showed there is once again growth in his brain. His oncologist believes it is once again a tumor and that his cancer has returned, despite the fact that he has been receiving treatments to keep that from happening. Please pray for healing and restoration for him. (Updated 10.28.25)
Bill Luttrell, John Luttrell’s father, who is suffering from some serious health issues. Please pray for an easing of his pain, for peace, and for comfort for him and for his family. (Updated 10.16.25)
Loren Nichols, Joyce Grimes's son, and Joyce Grimes. Loren is back at home with her. Loren continues to struggle with health issues, and Joyce continues to be his caregiver. Please pray for Loren and Joyce who are both exhausted and in need of prayers for rest, strength, hope, healing and a better situation. (Updated 10.3.25)
Nicholas and Yvonne Calderone. Friends of Donna Bowman and others at CPCG. Nicholas was in rehab in Jacksonville, FL, 6 hours away from his and Yvonne’s home. He is now headed back to Naples via ambulance where he will receive 2 weeks of therapy. Please pray for them both. (Updated. 8.28.25)
Meredith Nelson, Marty Alberg’s friend, was diagnosed with four autoimmune conditions and is declining in overall health. She is now functioning at approximately 15% of normal and essentially bedridden. (8.7.25)
Zena and Damita Bailey. Zena is a friend of Jerry Chappell. Damita is Zena’s sister. Zena has had to be put into memory care and will soon be there full-time. She is only 57. Please pray for Zena and her sister Damita as her caregiver. (Updated 8.6.25)
Connie Walters, Jess Hipsher’s younger sister, has early onset dementia. Please pray for her and her family. (Updated 7.21.25)
Scott Hipsher, Jess Hipsher’s younger brother, has severe pain from shoulder and hips (bone on bone). He is unable to sleep due to the pain. Pray for rest, healing and an easing of Scott’s pain. (Updated 7.21.25)
Jerry Lee Wright, Mike Williams’s first cousin. Jerry Lee lives in East TN, and is very ill and has lost lots of weight. (Updated 7.15.25)
Carol Iovino is having problems with her heart rate being very low. She is awaiting tests and results from her cardiologist. Please pray for answers and restoration for Carol. (Updated 4.24.25)
Maria, who works where Mary Kiepe lives, asked to be put on the prayer list. Please pray for her. (Updated 4.16.25)
Mary Kiepe requests prayers. (Updated 4.16.25)
Lorri Cotton has brain cancer and is scheduled to have brain surgery next Wednesday. Please pray for her. (Updated 4.8.25)
Shirley Shato is out of the hospital and now in rehab. Please keep Shirley in your prayers. (Updated 4.10.25)
Tom Morrison, Jerry Chappell’s mom’s husband, who had had a stroke a few days ago. He is home, but continues to experience some challenges. Please also pray for Jerry’s mom, Martha, as Tom’s caregiver. (Updated 3.6.25)
Martha Morrison, Jerry Chappell’s mother, is struggling with her knee that needs to be replaced and the cold weather is making it worse. Prayers for an easing of her pain and for healing. (Updated 1.9.25)
Pam Elliott, one of Jane David’s oldest friends has been diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer. She recently had another surgery to remove for tissue that they were unable to get the first time. Please pray for healing and for successful treatments. (Updated 1.23.25)
Anna Pierro, Diana and Tim Oliver's 12 year old great niece, and Marie Parnell's great granddaughter, had successful kidney transplant surgery on November 14. Anna's transplant team has given her permission to ease back into school. She was warned that she would probably get sick at first, which she did after 2 days, but she managed to get through it fine. Now she is just looking forward to life without dialysis. (Updated 1.15.25)
Penny Rogers, friend of Linda and Frank Ward, is facing serious health issues. Please pray for her and her health. (Updated 1.14.25)
Lorie Foster, a neighbor in English Meadows and a part of Neighborhood Coffee. She is receiving chemotherapy infusions this week at Germantown Methodist. Please pray for strength, for energy and for healing. (Updated 12.3.24)
Julianne Flake, a friend of The Pantry, is battling colon cancer. Please pray for strength, healing and hope. (Updated 10.10.24)
Juan Bracho and his wife, Yesenia Colinas, friends of The Pantry. Juan is suffering from throat cancer. He has had two surgeries, and the mass has come back. He is receiving chemo but does not want to have any more surgeries. Please pray for healing, for support, and for peace. (Updated 8.1.24)
Jose Morales. Please pray for for Jose’s healing, full restoration and for his family. (Updated 5.9.24)
Patricia Bacon, mother of Lauren Taylor, has chronic fever and pain in her lower abdomen. She also continues to mourn the loss of her husband, Lauren’s father. Please pray for peace and for healing from all the different ways she is suffering. (Updated 3.20.24)
Dean Burland, Mike Williams’s close architect friend who lives in Merrimack, NH who has been diagnosed with heart and lung disease. Dean had a pacemaker implant and is somewhat better. Please pray for healing, for easing of any pain and for peace. (Updated 3.12.24)
Robert Kruse, Donna Bowman’s ex-husband, who has blood cancer. (Updated 7.27.23)
Michael Hunt, Allen Oliver’s brother, is doing much better and appreciates the prayers of the church. (Updated 11.20.23)
Murray Hudson, Jane David’s brother-in-law, Murray Hudson, has Alzheimers. He is married to Jane’s oldest sister, Mary Stuart David, who is his main caregiver. The doctors have been able to slow Murray’s Alzheimers with a new treatment. We give thanks for this good news! Please continue to pray for them both. (Updated 1.22.22)
World Peace. May sound unreasonable and idealistic, but our God is in the business of making the impossible possible.
Our country. We pray for listening and understanding and cooperation and for us to all see the humanity in one another.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). We pray for love and grace; the Spirit’s guidance and the courage to boldly follow where God leads.
________________________________________________________________
PRAYER LIST Q&A:
1) How do I put myself or someone else on the prayer list?
You may ask Peggy Jean to put them on or a request can be made through the church office with Jane.
You may contact Peggy Jean at [email protected] OR 256-777-1147.
You may contact the church office at [email protected] OR 901-755-3884 (Office Hours T, W, Th 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.)
2) How does a person come off the prayer list?
Peggy Jean can take them off because of her knowledge of the situation. The person requesting them to be put on should let the church office or Peggy Jean know to take them off.
